Abstract: A rope connector connects prepared ends of two rope segments, wherein said prepared ends each include a rope eye. The rope connector includes at least two complementary parts, each being configured with a shaped recess for receiving at least part of said prepared end of a respective rope segment. The complementary parts are detachably mountable to each other to establish a firm connection there between. A rope extension system is disclosed to include such rope connector, and a hoisting system employs such rope extension system.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing; a first piston arranged within the housing such that it can move axially under the action of fluid flowing through the tool; and an indexer configured to control axial movement of the first piston between a first, second and third axial position. The indexer is configured such that the first piston can be selectively moved into the third position in accordance with a variation of a flow of fluid through the tool. A second piston is movable between a closed position in which fluid flowing through the tool is restricted from communicating with an activation chamber and an open position in which fluid flowing through the tool is permitted to communicate with the activation chamber; wherein the second piston is configured to move between the closed position and the open position in response to the first piston moving to the third axial position.

Abstract: A monitoring system is for a well stream from a hydrocarbon well with seawater injection. The monitoring system includes a sample receiving system, a sample preparation system, an analyzing system, and a pressure control and measurement system. The monitoring system is connectable to a sample point for receiving a sample of the well stream. The sample receiving system includes a fluid conduit connectable for fluid communication with the sample point, and a separator for separating a water fraction from the sample. The sample preparation system includes a filter for filtering the water fraction. The analyzing system includes an x-ray fluorescence analyzer for measurement of a concentration of at least one of dissolved elements Fe, Ba, Ca, S, Cl, P, Cu, Zn, Pb, Br or scale inhibitor tracers in the sample. The pressure control and measurement system is connected to the sample receiving system or the sample preparation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flywheel on a floating vessel includes a support for the flywheel; and a tilt sensor for measuring an angle of slope relative to the Earth, the tilt sensor being arranged to detect a change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel relative to the Earth. The apparatus further includes a driver for manoeuvring the support relative to the floating vessel, based on the measured angle of slope from the tilt sensor, wherein the driver is operable to manoeuvre the support so as to counteract a change of an angle of slope of the flywheel relative to the Earth due to the detected change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel.

Abstract: A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the second tubular end, wherein the keyway is also disposed through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.

Abstract: A basket system for a shale shaker includes a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end, spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The feed end includes a fluid retaining wall. A first screen deck frame is mounted or mountable to the basket for supporting a screening surface and forming a first screen deck in use. The screening surface of the first screen deck has a lower, feed receiving end that is proximal to the fluid retaining wall at the rear end of the basket and a distal, higher, solids discharge end at the front end of the basket. The basket further includes at least one mounting for mounting at least one additional screen deck frame above or below the first screen deck frame.

Abstract: A valve for use in a wellbore for facilitating a multi-stage stimulation method includes a first sleeve configured to move to open the valve. In addition, the valve includes a second sleeve configured to move to close the valve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are both movable in a first direction. Movement of the first sleeve a first distance in the first direction opens the valve and subsequent movement of the second sleeve a second distance in the first direction closes the valve. Further, the valve includes a third profile configured to engage a third key of a tool for operating the valve. The third profile is shaped to prevent movement of the tool in a second direction opposite to the first direction when engaged with the third key of the tool.

Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic drilling system generates choke characteristic curves or data that more accurately reflects the relationship between the commanded choke valve position and the resulting pressure drop across the choke valve for a given flow rate and fluid density. The choke characteristic curves may be generated through a calibration procedure and then used during normal operations to more accurately monitor return flow and manage wellbore pressure. The specific gravity of an injected calibration fluid and pressure drop across the choke valve may be determined and correlated to the current choke valve position to reflect the choke characteristic curve in situ, thereby providing for more precise control of wellbore pressure and enabling condition monitoring of the choke valve. In addition, an improved closed-loop hydraulic drilling system does not require a flow meter, enabling the adoption of MPD systems in low-specification and economically constrained applications.

Abstract: An integrated managed pressure drilling (“MPD”) riser joint includes an annular sealing system that allows for the installation, engagement, service, maintenance, disengagement, removal, or replacement of one or more sealing elements while maintaining a pressure tight seal on the annulus without a drill string isolation tool, or equivalent thereof. The integrated MPD riser joint is limited to the annular sealing system and a flow spool, or equivalent thereof, disposed directly below the annular sealing system, without any intervening pressure containment devices or systems. Advantageously, the integrated MPD riser joint does not require a drill string isolation tool, or equivalent thereof, and may be substantially shorter in length and weigh substantially less than a conventional integrated MPD riser joint. The reduction in size and weight enables adoption of MPD technology in applications where conventional integrated MPD riser joints are not economically feasible or are otherwise precluded from use.

Abstract: A threaded pin and box pipe connection having makeup shoulders that contact when the pin and box threads are fully engaged. Upon initial engagement of the shoulders, load flanks of the pin and box threads furthest from the makeup shoulders engage each other and begin progressively separating from each other by an increasing amount along the length of the engaged threads in a direction from the end of the pin to a gauge point of the connection. Upon application of the makeup torque, the separation between the load flanks distributes the torque forces between the makeup shoulders along the length of the engaged threads to prevent concentration of stress forces near the base of the pin thread. The progressive separation of the load flanks is achieved by progressively changing the pitch of the load flank of the pin and/or box thread to vary the thread width. The separation of load flanks is achieved without modifications of the stab flank pitch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining a secure mechanical connection and a pressure-tight seal in the overlapping area of two telescoping tubular bodies. The two bodies, including the overlapping area, are radially expanded to increase the inside diameter of the bodies. The expansion forces an annular seal in the overlapping area into a pressure-sealing engagement between the bodies. A string of pipe assembled from joints secured to each other by telescoping, threadedly engaged expanded pin and box connections may be radially expanded into a surrounding well bore to provide a cased well having an internal diameter greater than the original internal diameter of the pipe string. The seal in the connection comprises an annular elastomeric seal ring and an annular Teflon spacer ring carried in a specially dimensioned groove formed in either the box or the pin, or both members of the connection.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve for controlling fluid flow between a well annulus and a string of well conduit, the valve including a slidable sleeve disposed coaxially within an outer housing, the valve being provided with a primary seal member carried by the housing for sealing engagement with the housing and the sleeve characterized in that the primary seal member, in a relaxed condition, comprises an annular, monolithic body having a first, radially outwardly facing, annularly extending seal surface and a second, radially inwardly facing, annularly extending seal surface, the second seal surface having at least one annularly extending, radially inwardly projecting rib, the rib having a radially innermost convex portion when viewed in transverse cross-section, annularly extending reliefs being formed on axially opposite sides of the rib, the seal member being made of a substantially non-elastomeric material that has sufficient memory to provide an interference seal between the seal member and the housing, and the s

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant threaded connection including a first tubular member having an outer metal tube of corrosion-prone material and an inner metal lining of corrosion-resistant material, the first tubular member forming a pin connection having a nose portion comprising a ring of corrosion-resistant material secured, e.g.

Abstract: A heavy weight drill pipe member is disclosed for use in drilling high angle and horizontal well bores in a corrosive environment. The heavy weight drill pipe member consists of a tubular member with a longitudinal bore therethrough, and includes connectors or tool joints attached at each distal end for connecting additional heavy weight drill pipe members. The tubular member and tool joints are preheated, water quenched and tempered to obtain a unique combination of hardness, a yield strength and impact strength for improved resistance to stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement in a hydrogen sulfide environment. The tubular member includes a plurality of wear pads or protectors equidistantly spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member to reduce bending stress in the pipe by limiting the degree of bend when the pipe is placed in compression in a high angle well bore.

Abstract: A threaded connection for improving fatigue resistance to cyclic loading is disclosed. The threaded connection basically comprises a pair of interlocking members having corresponding radially inner and radially outer spiral threads thereon, each spiral thread including a spiral compression flank and a spiral tension flank wherein at least one of the spiral compression flanks and spiral tension flanks on the inner spiral threads are in mating planar engagement with a corresponding spiral compression flank and spiral tension flank on the outer spiral thread. Axial spacing between the tension flanks and the compression flanks on the radially inner and radially outer spiral threads further define a stress reducing spiral root surface on at least one of the radially inner and radially outer threads and a corresponding crest surface on the other radially inner and radially outer spiral threads.

Abstract: An ultra high torque double shoulder tool joint (see FIG. 1) for maximizing the torsional strength of a threaded connection by correlating a transverse cross-sectional counter-bore area of the box (12) and pin (10). The pin 10 includes a base section 74 and a nose section 24. The nose section 24 defines a cross-sectional nose area 28. The pin external threads 22 include a taper no greater than 1/12. The box 12 includes a cross-sectional counterbore area 46 and a cross-sectional box area 52. The overall strength of the tool joint is dependent upon the torsional strength of the threaded connection, the cross-sectional nose area (28) and the cross-sectional counter-bore area (46).

Abstract: A tubular drill pipe section to be used in a well bore is disclosed. The drill pipe section includes upper and lower tool joints, a main steel tubular portion extending upwardly from the lower joint and terminating near the upper tool joint, and an elongated steel protector tube extending downwardly from the upper tool joint and secured to the upper end of the main portion. The main portion has a much lesser wall thickness throughout substantially its entire length than the protector tube. The protector tube is made of AISI 4100 series chrome-molly steel that is quenched and tempered to give it high strength and high hardness (30-38 HR.sub.c) with a Martensite small, close knit, grain size. This hard material reduces the penetration of the slip teeth into the wall of the pipe section and increases the fatigue life of the protector to beyond that of the main steel tubular portion.

Abstract: A tubular drill pipe section to be used in a well bore is disclosed. The drill pipe section includes upper and lower tool joints, a main steel tubular portion extending upwardly from the lower joint and terminating near the upper tool joint, and an elongated steel protector tube extending downwardly from the upper tool joint and secured to the upper end of the main portion. The main portion has a much lesser wall thickness throughout substantially its entire length than the protector tube. The protector tube is made of AISI 4100 series chrome-molly steel that is quenched and tempered to give it high strength and high hardness (30-38 HRc) with a Martensite small, close knit, grain size. This hard material reduces the penetration of the slip teeth into the wall of the pipe section and increases the fatigue life of the protector to beyond that of the main steel tubular portion.